The Pelicans Need Zion Williamson in a Point Guard Role More Often | JJ Redick Breakdown

[@shashankgangwar6757]

Finally the Pels and Zion get some recognition of the hard work.

[@ontopsoonTV]

Real talk

[@pandorum67]

We need less of these videos and some more videos on the lakers/warriors tbh

[@potato958]

​@@pandorum67last thing we need tbh

[@KalebSamons]

@@pandorum67bum

[@thecaptain9212]

@@pandorum67troll 😂

[@rljuice]

We shouldn’t be shocked. Zion had distinct passing traits at Duke. Made some unreal passes. The injuries/weight have made him type casted into a PF but hes a point forward/ secondary playmaker and with a head of steam, the gravity he attracts keeps defenses off balance.

[@t4d0W]

The shock really is that the coach/staff hasn't tried to aggressively push this (not counting Zion's lack of games played in the past 3 years). We've seen glimpses of Zion doing inverted screens with shooters even back in 2020-21 when Reddick was on the roster then. Maybe they didn't have the shooters to make it work then as oppose to now. But point Zion has always been on the table.

[@IM-st2yo]

@@t4d0W If Zion has the ball as the coach I want him attacking the rim not worrying about setting guys up. Of course pass the ball don't be selfish but the reason point zion is a thing is cause of the amount of pressure he can put on the paint. Zion is better free throw line and down.

[@t4d0W]

@@IM-st2yo I don't think you understand the context. When bigs play the 'point' it isn't like how typical small guards sacrifice part of their offense and positioning to set a guy up. Look at Jokic, Embiid, Domas of the Kings, Sengun and even big forwards with shot creation/playmaking like Giannis and Banchero. Those guy can set up their team on offense while being in a position to attack the rim and get theirs while reading defenses to make a key pass.

[@sasukelionz]

Please JJ don't stop educate us !

[@jaysongaston7976]

Finally Zion getting some props. People were quick to call him every name in the book after the play in game but seem to be real quiet now that he hooping.

[@OnlyOne1Demon]

Stan van gundy had him playing point, he unlocked that part of Zion game, ever since he left they’ve been doing weird stuff so to see him finally get praise again on his playmaking ability as a PG is rare in itself and tells me JJ sees the game at a different level… dude is a wrecking ball, Giannis does it why can’t he? And he can atleast shoot somewhat better

[@ontopsoonTV]

Ever since he left Zion been hurt

[@OnlyOne1Demon]

@@ontopsoonTV Zion was tryna play hurt tbh, the team kept telling him no.. dude had the social media posts up and all saying they wouldn’t let him, which I understand dude the franchise player

[@shanebryant6478]

He watched him in hs he was always on ball he learned how to play on ball

[@9614cp]

@@OnlyOne1DemonI think he was purposely sitting out games a lot of the times by choosing to rehab very slowly and not take care of his body. With the new 65 game rule and the incentives in his contract, he is obviously gonna suit up for more games now.

[@OnlyOne1Demon]

@@9614cp nah New Orleans wouldn’t let em suit up

[@zdiii3795]

Ive been saying this for a while but Zion handle is absolutely underrated. I think he could legitamently be a gaurd if he ever got catch and shoot numbers up

[@newjumpcityjosh9333]

You mean he could legitimately be a wing*

[@zdiii3795]

@@newjumpcityjosh9333 id argue he's already a wing

[@newjumpcityjosh9333]

@@zdiii3795 I disagree but I’d like to hear why

[@zdiii3795]

@@newjumpcityjosh9333 the combination of him being a negative defender and his length. Nba positionless nowadays but with his tools id rather he be a 3 than a 5.

[@arrowgantonegreen839]

The thing keeping Zion from being able to be considered a guard is the referees. If they had to start calling fouls for Zion the way they do for small guards like Young, Curry and Kyrie get, Zion would be shooting 20 free throws per game.

[@jumpshooter23]

Dude I get what you mean about trolling vs educating and how the public responds better to negativity in terms of engagement but trust me, this is the kind of content real NBA fans want and NEED! Please keep balancing between these deep dives and the lighter hearted stuff. Do what you gotta do for engagements but please do not get too far away from your niche. These deep looks are what set you apart. Keep bringing the heat! We love it!

[@veganpowerdude3771]

Point Zion is great. But I miss Lonzo throwing lobs to Zion. Watching Ziom throw down lobs is the most exciting part of his game. So many lob opportunities missed these days and I reckon Zion basically gives up almost even looking for one coz his teammates don't have the ability to find him like Lonzo did. Hopefully the Pels can trade for a passer like Lonzo.

[@dotdotwav]

Coming here to prove that fans do want to learn about the sport

[@brandonraj7020]

Why is JJ's takes better than actual people in broadcasting? OMG!?!?!?! He's not a tooljob. 😮

[@anonymouslakernerd7214]

He is an actual person in broadcasting.

[@deejones9833]

Yeah i believe he does tnt sometimes with candance parker and jamal Crawford

[@KingJaq337]

He actually played and saw him at practice and in games in real life and he himself is a hooper that's why my only issue with Zion is he don't have a middy he needs a middy and ik he can do it

[@FACEDEVILLE]

Ive noticed since hes been playing well ESPN doesn't speak on Zion or The Pelicans. The last time his name came up was in a fat joke. Stephen A , Shannon, and Barkley. The only one that actually gave constructive criticism was Shaq.

[@mentalprograming5365]

since clippers been playing well since zion been playing well since kyrie and luka been winning together since the kings been playing well ESPN dont speak on anyone who isnt bosten, lakers, goldenstate, newyork or philly.. time to time milwaukee.. when denver gets blown out or goes on losing streaks EVERYONE is quiet.. when the celtics get smacked up EVERYONE is quiet.. lakers and warriors EVERYONE thinks they can win a title even when they are never going to win EVER again.. embiid is constanly being talked about in terms of how great he could be.. orlando, pacers and other teams only get bad press 94 percent of the time

[@jaybruhh_6472]

@@mentalprograming5365right on the nail with this one

[@dropandy1453]

@@mentalprograming5365still a little crazy to me that golden state is one of those teams now. wasn’t too long ago that they were a joke of a franchise.

[@Dr._is_sleepy]

@@dropandy1453Curry effect

[@dropandy1453]

@@Dr._is_sleepy oh absolutely. one has to wonder if once he retires GSW will suffer the post-mj bulls syndrome too…national media doesn’t give a damn about chicago anymore

[@haryproenza1335]

No one else does these breakdowns and I'm always so fascinated and engaged every time I watch. This extra step in watching basketball is what makes me find more love for the sport.

[@mudahss]

He’s literally way better when he has the ball in his hands. I don’t know why they sat him in the corner in the beginning of the season.

[@QuotesTwentyfourseven]

💯

[@geno6464]

He was out of shape

[@futurehofer1564]

Because Willie likes BI more lol but Zion is so much better you cant hide it for long

[@joshromero-burgan9860]

He doesn't shoot so or course him having it in his hands makes him better. It's the only way he's effective honestly and thats not a knock it's just common sense

[@kylebushnell2601]

N O isnt necessarily better tho

[@lowernineforlife]

JJ Shows so much love to the Pelicans.

[@tr377723]

THIS TEAM IS ON PACE TO WIN 50+ GAMES THIS YEAR, WILLIE GREEN GOT THEM PLAYING SOUND DISCIPLINE UNSELFISH BASKETBALL. THEY ARE A YOUNG HUNGRY TALENTED SQUAD. THE PELICANS CAN GET TO THE NBA FINALS AND WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR AND BEYOND. THEY ARE THAT GOOD AND NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THEM AND THAT'S A GOOD THING. ONCE THEY GO THROUGH THE PLAYOFFS AND KNOCK OFF A FEW TEAMS THE WHOLE WORLD WILL SEE IT. PELICANS FANS ALREADY KNOW, TIME FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO KNOW! THEY GOT SUPERSTARS, A DEEP BENCH CAN PLAY DEFENSE AND SCORE THE BASKET!!! THEY'RE SHOOTING 40% FROM THE 3 POINT LINE AS A TEAM. TRAY MURPHY & HAWKINS, MARKSMANSHIP FROM THE 3 IS INCREDIBLE! PELICANS HAVE THE BEST 3-N-D WING PLAYERS IN THE NBA. HERB JONES IS ALL PRO DEFENSIVELY. THEY GOT IT ALL!!! THEY HAVE THE MOST ROAD WINS, MORE THAN ANY OTHER TEAM IN THE NBA AT 21 ROAD GANES. THAT'S TIED WITH THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES AT 21

[@ChanBoogie310]

I been saying zion dribbling is so underrated, and watching him in duke his decision making and passing skills was high level. I’m surprised someone just now mentioning this given how many people claim to be “sports analysts”

[@OranjeDiscoDancer]

That Jonas screen deep in the paint is interesting. I have noticed it a few times in games but I see why it is so effective now.

[@ptyten9718]

Underrated great season from him

[@jzajzz]

This clip still has 54k views..after JJ promoted it on First Take 😂😂it

[@troyyoung4750]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@mike-r575]

I really enjoyed hearing you all break down the Pelican offense and different sets they run with Zion. I'll have to go back and see how you all break down Warriors offensive sets.

[@AMHoops]

I'm here to get educated!!

[@apf777]

Who else is here because JJ mentioned this video on ESPN?

[@BennduR]

Man said it had 54k views But it's only 32k 😂😂

[@madisonbordenave4869]

Pels haven’t used this as much this season because Zion has been out of shape for most of the season. Late in games that’s really shown because he’s lost his handle/ made brain fart decision due to what I think is tiredness. With Zion getting in better shape it looks like things are getting unlocked especially with the BI Zion two man game

[@TheDudeIsChi]

Excellent video. Only 75k views is a damn shame, especially when “hot takes” that are nothing more than click bait get so much attention. This is for real hoop heads you want to analyze the game, and pay attention to more than just lebron/curry/luka/etc. Zion bringing the ball up is so much fun to watch and it seems to be going under the radar. Love this stuff, always appreciate JJ’s more nuanced/niche breakdowns.

[@flightmizzarc]

Miss u hear in New Orleans JJ it was a pleasure having u here in the city bro

[@andon32111]

As a blazers fan I'd love to see CJ and Dame faceoff in the finals. It's unlikely but not unimaginable. To the point,... Zion should slim down, develop a jumper and just run the point full time. That would take his game to the next level and add longevity to his career.

[@zionrobertson2097]

JJ I love you man🙏🏼

[@benjaminallen7332]

The League need Z to be Bron so bad😢😢😢

[@tommyanderson1748]

Naw fr, he still has time to become a megastar.

[@vassman8895]

Don't stop these JJ! Thank you

[@beyondreality8506]

Dont forget about Herb Jones!!! 2 way player!

[@michaeldunn6801]

Need more of this please !!!

[@michaelgriffin6156]

JJ is so right. Zion at the point gives him WAY more space than when he is working from the baseline. Not only that but the help at the top of the key is off McCollum or Murphy who are one pass away. A lot of teams do not want to see a healthy Pels team come playoff time. Last year they were on the same kind of roll until Zion got hurt. I am keeping my eye on them as well.

[@falcon1378]

When two bots beat me to a Three Things video, I cry 😢

[@benjaminallen7332]

Me too💀💀

[@OleBcy]

The way the pels have actually built around Zion is purely astounding. The depth is incredible. Idk what else they could do to make the roster better. Healthy, the pels are a top 5 team in the entire nba

[@kidcudi908]

2 seasons ago pelicans were a force in the west before Zion got injured, at full health I believe Zion, cj, and ingram can make a run

[@theshadygamer844]

Awesome video. Really good analysis. May have to check out the pels more on league pass after this

[@Ober1kenobi]

The pelicans have a lot of scary potential lineups CJ BI Murphy Zion Val CJ Hawkins BI Jones Zion Jose Hawkins Murphy Jones Nance JNR And the list goes on They’re so deep

[@barbaraangele8615]

YES ZION is the MOST fun, exciting player and personality in the NBA now. NBA presents a whole week of highlights NOT ONE better than what ZIO.N does many times in every single game!!!!!!

[@benjoyce8034]

This is gold, excellent breakdown!

[@jefferyfennix3181]

JJ good analyzing. I hope Willie saw your perspective!

[@austinwilliams7379]

JJ I AGREE!!!

[@HowsSIGHTS]

JJ THE GOAT

[@O.Z123]

What about Deni avdijas game ? He can be a legit 6’9 point guard

[@StayCool302]

Pelicans are at their best when they play with pace. Not saying they gotta go full early 2000’s Suns track star mode but when they up the tempo good things usually happen for them.

[@azrazerz1445]

They remind me a lot of the warriors when kd was there in some aspects as far as who they could be with similiar roles. Zion filling the role of draymond except far better offensively, CJ a bit of a mix between steph and klay, and Brandon has always played like Durant.

[@rjb319]

Zion easy "breakout" candidate for 2H of the season. Absolutely loving what I've been seeing out of him down this past stretch.

[@PrtyNeal]

Jj Reddick stans any and all NBA players

[@Mehta_verse]

Thank you JJ and the dunker spot!

[@TheLolman3433]

this is a great video JJ dont stop making these

[@Tayo39]

i was sayin this a couple of month into his first season as everyone finished adjusting their game & personel to Steph

[@MistaPea106]

Love seeing JJ give Ben Simmons his flowers during his comparisons too much disrespect for Ben when he played really well for Philly for most of his tenure

[@williammurray7264]

Once we figure out how to keep leads, we're golden!

[@OnlyTheBestNO]

Much rather watch this detailed breakdown than two people screaming about whose the 🐐.

[@KingJaq337]

JJ we still love you out here

[@Arclanta]

Would have liked to hear more about the rest of the team. Kingram and CJ have been fire and they have the most stacked team in NBA!!!

[@StepUpAimHigh]

Ingram is a talented scorer but makes too many low IQ plays. He only passes when he gets trapped and is a careless dribbler

[@BenRongey]

​​@@StepUpAimHigh BI has had more total assists per game and a better assist to turnover ratio in each season of their careers.

[@bygonesbegone]

​@@StepUpAimHighBrandon Ingram has became too passive with the basketball if anything

[@StepUpAimHigh]

@@BenRongey please explain to me how he has a game where he attempts 11 3’s and makes 8 and then only attempts 11 in the following 4 games. He shoots them well but keeps shooting contested midrange shots 🤷🏽‍♂️ That’s simple math. If you’re successful at a one shot that counts more than another shot , keep doing the one that counts more. And you are right tho, his assist numbers lead the team. You got me on that one ✅

[@IM-st2yo]

@@StepUpAimHigh contested for everyone else. it would be idiotic not to use your god given traits. If your tall and can shoot over people you can hit "contested shots." At his high release point he's clearing hands by an inch or two.

[@sloanNYC]

Zion has just still struggled with weight which makes me worry about his health. And he is so effective, it isn't clear to me that he's working on more of his game.

[@HoopsAficionado]

Well, we have seen Zion average 25 with excellent efficiency. This doesn't come as a surprise. The only thing he needs to do is avoid injuries (luck is a part of it) and stay in shape.

[@allidoiswin9891]

I had Cleveland as my sleeper championship bet last year lol, this year its NO Pelicans

[@blackmantravel6954]

A 300 pounder as a point is wild

[@TheHubeef]

JJ Willie green needs a call from you!

[@ronnieg2961]

JJ.. you kinda complained on ESPN this episode didn’t get as many viewers because it’s not drama filled and more informative.. I agree with your point but let me give a tip or rather a idea..how about you do a episode of the most or top common and basic plays with a drawing board and side by side video of any team running the action and inform us in a better way. I can speak for myself when I see the action myself happening live and me having an idea and concept of how schemes work makes the game different, more exciting, and better for me personally.. I would imagine others might feel the same .. if they only knew how deep the game is.. show them.. and stop over stimulating with that’s.. most people don’t care about a team averaging X amount of drivers per game etcetera etcetera

[@jeffreyli2783]

Who came here after the first take clip

[@Imhimmforever]

JJ put all beef aside please be our coach man willie doesn’t use Zion right

[@detroitewarren]

He is actually great off the ball if setting picks and rolling, but nobody on NO can gind a roller so its absolutely useless to have him setting picks. BI is a solid play maker but he cant find Zion on a P&R to save his life, and im sure it has happened less than 12 times this whole season, maybe only 6 or 7 times all year. Zion averaged 23ppg as a rookie, on 58%, in only 28mpg, all off of post ups and P&R with a great passer in Lonxo Ball. Next year, with Point Zion installed, still having Lonzo, he made history. If you trade BI for Tray Young, this is a championship contender EASILY.

[@killakam1211]

They had their chance to get Murray but fumbled the bag. I would've loved to see that duo even more than Tray because of Murray athleticism, being able to run the break and P&R

[@IM-st2yo]

Pels save PnR seemingly for end of game situations. And most of that seems to be a set play were they aren't actually running pick and roll but its for CJ or Trey and the play has counters. Yall just be ready to hate but I advise to go watch the film. Pels have some nice plays

[@detroitewarren]

@@IM-st2yo I've seen every game of Zions career my guy, thanks but I definitely don't need your guidance at all. Like, not even a little bit. If Z led the league in scoring as the roll man in year 2, and doesn't even average 2ppg from that since then, then maybe you need to just stfu.

[@IM-st2yo]

@@detroitewarren who cares what he averaged they weren’t winning games and Zion plays similar to many other notable guys. Eventually teams develop counters and smart coaches figure out ways to help their guys. Zion is a much better finisher than he is a passer. But PnR between Zion and BI is almost mute in today’s NBA. So in your mind a switch from Desmond Bane to Jaren Jackson makes sense? For BI to past to Zion right. thats checkers. Let that play roll Zion. BI keeps and now you have the threat of a small on Zion. That buy itself draws in the defense to a help position and now shooters are open. They miss and Zion still has position on Bane cause he's smaller. BI has Jackson out the paint. now offensive rebound and put back for Zion on the miss. Chess not checkers man

[@killakam1211]

@IM-st2yo what makes the P&R so effective is that you have a guy that can hit the roller but in the pels case they don't have a guy that can consistently hit the roll guy (Zion) in this case. And if I know you can't hit the roll guy I'm going to play it like so. BI is not comfortable making that pass and that's fine because he's not even a point guard but until they get a legit point guard that can honestly just do basic point guard stuff they're leaving so many easy buckets for Zion on the floor

[@Shadow-r7e]

Zion is a great young man and I am glad that he is getting better and the respect he deserves.

[@PurpleCabbage]

Can someone explain to me what “ point “ Zion means please? Thanks

[@brandonleemoss]

Is when they transition Zion from a power forward to playing the point guard. Basically he's a: 🔥 Point Forward 🔥

[@PurpleCabbage]

@@brandonleemoss thanks homie

[@kchuen]

Not even 54k 🤣 great analysis though. But I think the reason why this doesn’t get that high views is also the audience demographics. Channels which are focused on breakdown only, like Thinking basketball, would get more views on similar videos.

[@t4d0W]

And yet JJ def didn't lie. Thinking Basketball in the last 3 months of regular season content only had 4 videos that get over 500k views. Two of them involved Wemby. His last video that got 1m was a Jokic video back in Dec 2022. NBA 'educational' content is def niche and harder to reach the 'general' NBA viewer base than hot take merchant content.

[@cristianh.5133]

Thanks State Farm for sponsoring the previous video. 😅

[@dalehogan756]

Hey JJ big DUKE fan!!!😮 Maybe you should be a head coach!!!!!! JUST SAYING!!!!!!

[@devinbrooks3289]

What if you used Brandon Ingram as the screener.

[@johnnycenteno55]

Here to get educated 🤝🫡

[@thebluebeyond2329]

Here because JJ said some people ain’t got time to watch these types of videos 🙃

[@woopigsoiee]

More of this content please. The numbers are the numbers but it's kind of insulting for you to act like there aren't nba fans that want this type of content.

[@BennduR]

JJ this doesn't have 54,000 views, get your numbers right brother

[@Braselton21]

Pelicans are lowkey a baby 2014 Warriors Team G - S. Curry = CJ. McCollum G - K. Thompson = T. Murphy iii G - A. Iguodala = H. Jones F - D. Green = Z. Williamson F - A. Bogut = J. Valanciunas 6 - H. Barnes = B. Ingram 7 - S. Livingston = D. Daniels 8 - F. Ezile = L. Nance Jr 9 - D. Lee = C. Zeller 10 - L. Barbosa = J. Hawkins 11 - M. Speights = J. Robinson-Earl

[@GiantsHunt]

Zion may actually be better at attacking the basket than any basketball player in history, his %s are through the roof

[@carlallen8392]

I agree with jj zion is a point guard

[@QuotesTwentyfourseven]

Please keep the ball in Zion hands! Great passer.

[@brandonleemoss]

BI is too You look at what they're doing with Joker and Murry and they're literally copying that format with better shooters❤

[@kevinsworld444]

I agree sir!!!!

[@bobbytaylor6946]

Pt. Zion is great when in condition

[@Cooowop]

Zion needs to be able to run the court before we talk about anything else... Stop this ..

[@dwei24]

point zion is real, and it works, but the coaching staff still puts him in corner cuz ingram wants the ball

[@TheHubeef]

ZION only gets / plays like 30 minutes a game. I look at the BOX scores and shake my head when I see Fox with 42 minutes, Brunson 44 minutes, Maxey, 42 minutes in games and ZION plays low 30's. GIVE ZION THE GAMES/minutes! X-Players=How many times did you go play street ball and take yourself out of the game ? NEVER! SO why does ZION sub out 1st in any game? WTF

[@LaiMachine]

The fans want to be educated JJ!!! 🫡

[@baleeghshaheed6439]

Damn, Gilbert Arenas said this awhile ago and I rolled my eyes cause he says some outlandish shxt. Clearly his basketball IQ is much higher than I gave him credit for.

[@jdrmanmusiqking]

Naaaah this is just the right amount of point Zion. Hes still a turnover a machine and he doesnt have the endurance to run the point more. His defensive intensity has SKYROCKETTED so his energy is evenly distributed at this point We just need Jose to start and overrated shot chucker CJ to come off the bench. Not having a PG in the starting lineup when you have Zion and BI starting is absolutely insane

[@ethanroberts985]

MORE PELS CONTENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TCSTrey]

Coming back to this after Stephen A’s burger comment. Real analysis is dead in the mainstream nba media at this point. JJ actually watches the games.

[@TIGGUH5]

🙋🏿‍♂️Been here to be educated

[@mitchell102]

Okay, but did y'all hear what he said about DOC RIVERS?????

[@exclamationpointman3852]

54,000 - AND ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@BayouSniper]

Pels should also be giving Jordan Hawkins minutes. It's blasphemy he is getting DNPCDs.

[@_JustReal_215]

The traditional point guard is becoming extinct right before our eyes, you see how don mitchell and booker are thriving even with the 76ers with maxey, tre young is as good as it gets but atl still might move him

[@Aaronp2099]

I could live off videos like this

[@cheddaman5169]

Honestly i wished Lonzo ball would have stayed and also was healthy

[@TheHubeef]

Big V is clogging the middle.

[@arenegadeboss]

I watched it JJ

[@achimwitcoustic9585]

They need a real PG. CJ is still a SG obviousky. Its really what they miss a PG.

[@CoachTillman]

Play Jordan Hawkins

[@ronaldwilliams8407]

Gilbert areas said he should lose weight to play the 1 and 2 when he was drafted